The inspiration for this post comes courtesy of the 5:31pm timestamp on my microwave and still no idea what I’m fixing for dinner. In fact, I’m staring at my cupboards as I type this. The plan was to have roast, asparagus and rolls but I forgot to put the roast in the crock pot AND forgot to thaw the dinner rolls. Typical.
When this sort of an evening happens—and it happens more than I’d like to admit—we resort to some of our favorite quick-and-easy dinners…and pancakes top the list!
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And now for the list!
- Pancakes with scrambled eggs and applesauce cups (Out of eggs? Try this vegan pancake recipe. And don’t forget the homemade buttermilk syrup!)
- Waffles with the same sides as above
- Breakfast burritos (eggs scrambled with real bacon pieces and topped with shredded cheese and salsa) with a green smoothie on the side
- Spaghetti with either marinara or pesto (we love Costco’s jar of pesto sauce
- Grilled cheese or grilled ham and cheese with sides of yogurt and mini peeled carrotss
- Quesadillas, sometimes with leftover taco meat, and a side of veggies
- Toasted Eggo waffles topped with peanut butter and jam for yummy toasted waffle sandwiches (sides of yogurt and applesauce too!
- Dino Nuggets, corn dogs or whatever else frozen goodies we have on hand…with a side of peeled mini carrots and apple slices
- Picnic lunch (sandwiches, Veggie Straws, carrots, apple slices, string cheese, etc.
- Nachos (tortilla chips topped with shredded cheese and melted in the microwave, served with a side of refried beans and corn)
- Top Ramen cooked with frozen peas and a couple whisked eggs (they scramble while boiling) served with the ever popular mini carrots
- Fried egg with bacon and cheese on a whole wheat English muffin served with green smoothies
Those are just the ones I came up with while sitting here watching my kids attempt sun catcher kits that didn’t come with nearly enough paint.
Not good.
What are your favorite easy, go-to recipes when you’re in a crunch (or failed to defrost something on time)? I’d love to add a few more to my arsenal!
Caroline
Noticing a “breakfast for dinner” theme when crunched for time! They all sound yummy!
Emily
It’s one of our favorite things to have even when I plan ahead!
Sarah @ Confessions of a Slacker Mom
Thanks for this list. It’s 5:51 and I’m just starting to wonder about dinner. I’m thinking frozen waffles with sides mentioned above. Maybe minus the scrambled eggs. That seems hard. Lol.
Emily
It’s not that hard if your 14YO is in charge of the scrambled eggs. ;)
Shannon
No Mac n cheese? The orange-r the better, at our house. ;)
Emily
Oh my gosh! How did I forget that? We love it mixed with pepperoni or sliced hot dogs. :)
Erin O.
This is a great list! Add an image so I can pin this!
Emily
Great idea! Totally just did. Pin away! :)
vanessa
pancakes for sure!
Emily
That’s one of our faves!
von
Scones with Rhodes frozen rolls…and then I put canned chili and whatever veggies we have on top.
Emily
That’s a great one! But don’t you have to defrost the rolls? I always forget that part! My mom used to defrost a frozen loaf of Rhodes bread overnight and then tear off pieces the next morning for scones. So good!
Kristina P.
Excellent. I feel like we do have stuff, but when I look around and don’t have things planned out, like we have nothing to make. I like the breakfast for dinner idea.
Emily
We absolutely LOVE breakfast for dinner (as if you couldn’t tell from the list). :)
Allison
I was in the same position last night! We ended up with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup!
Natalie@DeconstructingTheHome
Great list! When we need a quick dinner we eat sloppy joes. They are surprisingly healthy too!
Emily
I need a good recipe for sloppy joes. I haven’t been a fan since high school. Do you have one you could share?
Emily
That’s another favorite, especially dipping the sandwiches in the soup!
Leslie
Whenever we have leftover chili I bake up a few potatoes in the oven, shred some cheese, chop a few scallions and put out the sour cream…we have a baked potato bar…we all love it!!
Emily
Love that! We’ve used leftover chili on hot dogs before for homemade chili dogs. :)